The Oxford Street Players

Be a Part of a Full-Scale Shakespearean Production

The Oxford Street Players is a Shakespearen theatre company that was started in 1993 by faculty member, Anne Pluto, and staff member Lisa Risley. The group has put on full-scale productions, for the Lesley community and for the public, for more than 20 years. The production is always linked to a Lesley undergraduate course (CDRAM 2050); however, we invite all of our students, faculty, staff — as well as actors outside of the university — to audition.

Upcoming Productions

Combining Theory and Practice

Theatre and drama literature courses work together to give students a
foundation in classic and contemporary texts as well as how to bring
those texts to life onstage in theatrical productions. In addition, we invite guest artists, choreographers, and music directors to give workshops to our students.

There are two courses devoted to production work. Each course utilizes professional designers and consultants, enriching students’ understanding of theatre production and professional roles in the theatre. The courses offer the Lesley community, and members of the
general public, the chance to participate in the production via onstage
and backstage roles.

Course: CDRAM 2050 — Play Production ShakespeareThis is the undergraduate course that is tied to the Oxford Street production. It examines the Elizabethan Worldview through the study of a specific Shakespeare play and the Shakespeare authorship question. We study voice, acting, stage combat, music and movement, set, costumes, and lighting design — all culminating in the full-scale production of the play.

Oxford Street Players Alumni Speak

"OSP is truly my greatest accomplishment that I took from Lesley University. Never having acted in a Shakespeare play, I learned more about acting under Dr. Annie Pluto's direction than any other theatre group. My confidence not only as a performer, but as a student and person grew enormously with the wonderful people involved in the Oxford Street Players. All the other contributing teachers with OSP truly took the specific talents of each individual involved and made them shine."

- Shealan Anderson

"The Play, how can you articulate a feeling? The theater has always been a fascination of mine and going to Lesley University was my first chance to actually get a chance to step on a stage. It was a feeling of freedom and escape. And being on stage is only half of what makes theater great. The people and especially the director can make or break a show. Luckily being a part of the OSP feels like a family. Your cast members and you may bicker like siblings but there's always the undercurrent of love. Dr. Annie Pluto is like my mom away from home, she expects a lot from you, but it's only because she can see the potential in each member of her cast."